Water-locking suction valve for hydrocarbon-fuel-storage tanks



`Mmh 1s, 1930. rJ. H. VIELE 1,751,371

WATER LOCKING SUCTION VALVE FR'HYDROCARBON FUEL STORAGE TANS Filed Feb. 11, 1929 nlm T:

INVENTOR IH Efeze,

y@ w i fr; m N f W BY M A ATroRNEY Patented Mar. 18, 1.9304 i JOHN H. VIELE, F ELMIRA, NEW YORK WATER-LOCKING sUc'rIoN VALVE Foa nYpnocARBoN-rUEL-sronncn TANKS Application led February 11, 1929.* Serial No. 339,191.

This invention relates to hydrocarbon fuel storage tanks, and is more particularly conunerned with a valve for attachment to the lower end of the suction pipe which extends from' adjacent to the bottom of the tank to a discharge point such as the usualmeasuring and dispensing pump in use at retail gasoline stations. l

The present invention constitutes 'an img proved form of the valve for fuel storage tanks forming the subject matter of my pending application Serial No. 189,088.

In my said pending ap` the present invention, a cific gravity making it buoyant in water, but causing it to sink in gasoline, for example, is` utilized to close the lower intake end of the suction pipe to prevent the discharge therethrough by suction of water which accumulates in the bottom of such storage tanks.

Present day conditions in dispensing gasoline or other similar hydrocarbon fuel from storage -tanks requires a. high rate of discharge equivalent to ifty or more gallons per minute.

from the bottom of the tank upward-ly and will draw up into the suction pipe the layer of accumulated water at the bottom of the tank in admixture with gasoline unless prop- 80 er means are taken to prevent this action.

' In my .copending application above referred to, a float valve sinking in gasoline but buoyant in water is housed in a casing attached to the lower end of the suction pipe and having vertically slotted sides, through which the gasoline is drawn until a bottom strata of water of suicient depth has accumulated to lift the ioat suiiiciently to cause the pumping suction to lift it to contact and 40 close a valve seat at the lower end of the suction pipe and at the upper end of the slotted casing.

^ t Thisl arrangementy operates satisfactorily with the average dispensing pump having a vrelatively slow.`rate of delivery compared to the newer pump installations having a much higher rate of gasoline discharge, such for example, as equivalent to the fifty gallons per minute above referred to. Under these last conditions, the suctlon created by such a lication and with' oat having a spe- The resultant strong suction actsl intake opening,

pump is s'uicient to lift the ioat to close the before the' accumulation of water, normally would causethis action to take place.

In accordance with the present invention, I

have provided a construction which protects the float from this strong suction and which provides and ensures a side 'in take by suction f from above the float maintalnmg the float inactive to close the suction intake until such time a's the float becomes buoyant through the -accumulation 'of a strata of water at the bottom of the tank of suiicient depth at which time the suction becomes operative to lift the oat bodily and close the-suction intake.l

The

invention consists in the structural features, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter pointed out and claimed and will be more clearly apparent and operation from the description which is to be with the accompanying in its construction following detailed read in conjunction drawings forming part hereof illustrating a preferable embodiment of the invention and in which:-

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a gasoline storage tank having the water closing valve of my invention applied to the lower end of the suction pipethereof;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the water locking valve as attached to the lower end of the check valve casing usually provided at the lower end of suction pipes of storage tanks, the

float and its valve being shown in lowered position;

Figure 3 is a similar sectional view with the float and its valve lifted as by immersion of its float in water to cause the suction intake Ato the suction pipe and lift it to its seat.

to act thereagainst Figure 4; is a horizontal transverse section through the float cage taken on the line 4-7-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view through the valve casing looking down upon the recessed tion being taken on face of the bafie plate, the secthe line 5--5 of Figure 3.

In the drawings, a storage tank 1 for hy drocarbon fuel, hereinafter referred to as gasoline, of conventional form is shown with the conventional filler pipe 2, vent pipe 3 and .j of gasoline to the storage ta'nk [internal guide 6 for the shank7 of a check valve 8. As shown, the loweraend of the check valve 'casing is' internally threaded to receive check valve casing an externally threaded sleeve 9 of reduced diameter. and extending upwardly from the upper end-of the water locking valve casing 10 constituting the subject matter of the' present invention. Conveniently, the upper inner4 edge of this sleeve 9v may be formed with an upstanding ridge 11 providing a -valve seat engageable by the check valve- 8 although this is a matterof convenience in manufacture and connection of the water locking valve casing and the check valve casing anddoes not enter into the construction of -the Water locking valve per se, the threaded sleeve 9 with its valve se'at 11 merely constituting one means of connecting the upper end'of the water locking valve 'casing with the lower end of the usual suction pipe represented bythe The water locking valve constituting the subject matter of the present invention forms the lower portion of the structure shown in Figures 2 and 3 andv comprises the upper` tubular section l() with its sleeve extension-9 which terminates at its lower end in a flange 12 engaging the'lower edge of the check valve or suction pipe casing 5. This tubular section- 10 provides a vertical bore 13 alining with the boreof the check valve casing 5 and suction pipe 4 edged at its lower :end by a boss 14 constituting a valve seat with its upper edge traversed by one or more notches 15, the purpose of which will be hereinafter disclosed.` Depending from the lowerr face of the tubular portion 10 of the casing and supported by depending studs 16 is a baie plate 17 with its upper face extending substantially in parallelv with the face of the valve seat 14 and spaced therefrom a sujiicient face ofthis baiiie with the external distance to provide an external intake area greater than that of the bore 13. The upper plate in conjunction with the confronting face of the tubular portion 10 provides an annular laterally extending suction intake with the lateral intake joining the vertical bore 13 at the valve seat 14 and intake surface area ofthis having the characteristics lateral passage This baffle plate -provides above described. for the indrawing their lower ends a base or s uction of gasoline lai/F' erally through the suction intake provided bythe tubular portion l0 and the balie plate 17 and upwardly'through the bore 13 to the suction line.

Below and in line with the valveY seat 14 the upper face of the baile plate is formed with a circular depression or recess 18 having a central stem guiding bore 19 therethrough andan adjacent drainage opening 20. This baffle plate forms the lower edge of the lateral suction intake and the upper end of a float cage. A serieslof studs 21 depending from the under face of the baie plate 17 and arranged to define points substantially equidistant in common circumference, support at plate 22 having en inlet opening 23 therein. These studs as shown have their longitudinal axes substantially tangent to the circular edge of the depression 18 and provide open sides for the float 'cage through which water or hydrocarbon may freely enter. v

Confined within these studs and guided thereby for vertical movement is'a float 24 preferably hollow and of metal such as brass, having a diameter slightly less than that of the circle defined by said studs with its sides well within the outer edges of the baiiie plate. -The lower end of a valve stem 25 is affixed to, this float and extends vertically' upward through the guiding bore 19 of the baille plate and is fixed to a disk valve 26. v

This valve disk h as a diameter slightly less than that of the depression 18 .and is intended, with gasoline only in the tank, to rest uponthe fage of the depression 18 with its upper face below the plane of the upper face of the baiiie plate as shown in IFigure 2.v The connected valve stem and float have a specific gravity greater than that of the gasoline and normally tends to sink therein, the float with its valve stem being thereby suspended below and supported from the baille plate by means of the disk valve resting thereon.

Gasoline pumping suction through the suction pipe 4 and its check Valve casing 5 is prevented from acting on the viioat because of the interposed baffle .plate and the lateral suction' intake provided causes the gasoline to be drawn into the' casing 5 from the sides of the casing.

ity of the valve 26, stem 25 and float 24, with* the tank, or at least the lower port-ion, filled with gasoline, causes the tachcd valve to sink therein -holding the Valve to the face of the depression 18 with its upper face below the plane of the upper face of the iioat and its at?V age, accident, etc., may be drawn out before the suction line 1s closed or locked by water through valve 26, the specific gravity ofthe valve, stem and float are, preferably, prefigured to make the floatand valve buoyant when the strata of water has reached a height approximating the top of the float, although by immersion I do not intend t0 so limit and restrict myself in this particular.

` Assuming, however, that a strata of water has collected at the bottom of the tank and has risen approximately to the top ofthe float in its completely, lowered position as shown in Figure 2, the float and its attached valve now become buoyant and the valve lifts from the depression v18 of the baiile plate. lVith gasoline discharging suction now op- Aerating in the suction pipe 4, the gasoline indrawn'through the lat-eral intake penetrates beneath the disk valve 26 and the suction up. through the bore 13 quickly lifts the valve to contactthe valve seat 14 and closes the suct'ion intake, thereby locking the discharging ump. I

This acts to warn the pump operator thaty water is present in the storage tank. To per' mit the pump Ito again operate, it is necessary to insert a pump, such as a' bilge pump, through the filler pipe to draw the water from the bottom of the tank.. `been effected, the notch 15 in the edge of the yal've -seat boss '14; permits the valve 26 with lts float to'again drop to its normal position as shown in Figure 2. Any liquid caughtin 'the' depression 18-will have drained' out through the opening 20 and permit thevvalve to drop to the bottom ofthe depression. The notch or notches 15 are necessary toallow the valve 26 to drop since otherwise the suction in the pipe line 4 and valve casing 5 will operate to hold theyalve on its seat for an appreciable time before leakage will break the vacuum and release the valve.

I have not described the o eration of the check valve'in conjunction wit the. operation of the water locking valve sinceit has no effect upon the operation ofthe latter and functions only. in the usual manner, lifting and opening inresponse toupward suction.

andndropping and seating or closing when suctlon ceases, to retain the gasoline in the` suction line against draining back to 'thel tank, thereby keeping the suction line primed for the pumping operation.

' `It will be evident that with the water locking safety valve of my invention, the suction of water upwardly through a gasoline or other fuel suctioning discharge line is absolutely prevented. Y

The business integrity of the seller of the gasoline is maintained and protected; `the When this has good re utation of theproduct sold is not injured ,y the harmful and accidental presence o'f water therein; and-damage to the motors of vehicles and annoyance to their owners, resulting rom` the0 accidental presence of water 1n their gasoline, is prevented. f

From the standpoint of a gaso ne pump owner further 'advantage is 'secured in that the fine dirt, scale, etc., which is fre uently present in gasoline and settles in the ottom strata of water, cannot be drawn up in thev suction line to get upon the check valve seat and revent its full closing, thereby draining t e gasoline from the 4suction line and' making 1t necessary to disconnect vthe latter from the pump for repriming before the pump can again o erate. Frequently also, the dirt so injures t e check valve and valve seats as to require regrinding and refacing with the necessary excavation of earth or concrete to reach the buried storagetank and withdraw the suction pipe from its'interior. The structural features of the water locking valve herein described and shown represent a preferable and practical form of the invention, but are intended as illustrative rather than restrictive thereof, and are subject to variation and adaptation in consonance with' the spirit ofthe invention and the scope of the appended claims.'

What'I claim,- therefore, and desire lto secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A water locking safety valve for the lower end of suction pipes of hydrocarbon v fuel storage tanks having a casing provided lwith a bore'therein communicating with the lower end of. the suction pipe .edgedl at its lower end with a valve seat and laterally extended to provide a lateral suction intake .-opening, a baille plate at the lower side of said lateral suction opening, a valve supported on said baffle plate and positioned to cooperate with said valve seat, said valve having a. stem depending through the baille plate, and a float aiiixed to the lower depending end of said stem and shielded from suction at said lateral intake by 4the baille plate, the com'- bined specific gravity' of the valve stem and floatibeing-greater than that of hydrocarbon fuel but providing for buoyancy thereof in water.

ics

2. A water locking safety valve for the lower end of suction pipes of hydrocarbon fuel storage tanks comprisingr a casingl having a bore alining and communicating with the suction pipe and provided with a lateral suction intake at its lower end surmounted by a valve seat, a float supported below said lateral intake, a baille plate at the lower Vside of said lateral intake interposed between said intake and float, a valve supported on the upper face of the baiiie plate to cooperate with said valve seat having a stem depending therethrough and affixed to said float,the com binedspecic gravity of the valve, stem and float being such as to cause them to sink in hydrocarbon` fuel but to become buoyant in water, the baille shielding the float from the suction of the lateral intake until such time as the float and its valve become buoyantv witha lateral suction opening communicating with a vertical bore alining with the lower end of the suction pipe and with a valve seat edging the lower end of said vertical bore,-

a Hoat cage supported below said lateral intake and having open sides, a oat confined in and guided by said cage for vertical movement, a baille plate at the uper end of said cage forming the lower side of said lateral suction intake and shielding said float from the suction at said intake, a valve stem axed to said iloat and extending upwardly through a guiding bore in the baille plate, and a valve ailixed t0 the upper end of -said stem in position to cooperate with said valve seat,

said valve seating upon the upper face of said bale plate and supporting the float and its stem therefrom, the combined specific gravity of the valve, stem and float being greater than that of hydrocarbon fuel but providing lfor buoyancy thereof in water.

4. A water locking safety valve for theV lower end of suction pipes of hydrocarbon fuel storage tanks having a casing provided with an open side valve cage at .its lower end,

"a tubular portion at its upper end having a vertical bore therein alining with the' lower end of the suction pipe and edged at its lower end with a valve seat, a baille plate fixedly suspended below the lower end of said upper section and determinately spaced therefrom, said balieplate constituting the upper end of the float cage and presenting with the lower end of the upper casing section an annular lateral suction intake having a surface area greater than that of the vertical bore -of said section and having its upper face recessed in line with the valve seat thereabove, a valve seated in said recess to lie below the plane of the upper face of the baille plate and having a stem depending through a guiding bore therein, a float confined in and guided for vertical movement in said float cage and having the lower end of said valve stem aflixed' thereto, the specific gravity of said valve, stem and float being greater than that of hydrocarbon fuel but providing for buoyancy thereof with the float immersed in Water, said immersion lifting said valve and subjecting \it to upward suction at the lateral suction intake effective to lift it to engage the valve seat.

5. A water locking safety valve for the 4lower end of suction pipes of hydrocarbon fuel storage tanks having a casing provided with an open side valve cage at its lower end, a tubular portion at its upper end having'a vertical bore therein alining with the lower end of the suction pipe and edged at its lower end with a valve seat, a baiile plate fixedly suspended below the lower end of said upper section and determinately spaced therefrom, Y

said bale plate-constituting the upper end of the float cage and presenting with the lower end ofthe upper casing section an annular lateral suctionintake having a surface area greater than that of the vertical bore of said sectionand having its upper face recessed in line with the valve seat thereabove, a valve seated in said recess to lie below the lane of the upper face of the baille plate and laving a stem depending through a guidin bore therein, a float confined in and gui ed for vertical movement in said float cage and having the lower end of said valve stem alixed thereto, the specific gravity of said valve,I

.fuel storage tanks bomprlsing a casing having an upper section formed for attachment to 'the lower end of a suction pipe and provided with an alined vertical bore therein edged at its lower end by a valve seat, a baffle plate depending from said upper section and determinately spaced from said valve scat to provide an annular laterally extendin suotion intake opening communicating wit said vertical bore at the valve seat and with an intake surface area greater than that of said vertical bore, a float cage depending from' said baffle plate having open sides, a float confined in and guided by said cage for vertical movement therein, a valve seatin on the upper face of said baille late below t e valve seat and having a stem epending through a guiding bore in the baille plate and aflixed to said float, said valve stem and float having a combined' specific gravity greater thanthat of hydrocarbon fuel and providing for buoyancy thereof by immersion of the float in water serving to lift the valve from said baffle plate for suction upwardly to engage the valve seat and close the suction intake therethrou h.

A7. Water locking safety valve for the lower end of suction pipes of hydrocarbon fuel storage tanks comprising a casing formed at its upper end for connection to the lower `end of the suction pipe and having an alining vertical bore therein edged at its lower end by a valve seat, a lateralv annular suction intake opening therebelow communicating with said bore at the valve seat and of greater intake surface area than the diameter of said vertical bore, a baiiie plate having its upper face forming the lower edge of said annular suction intake and provided with a recess therein alincd with said valve seat and with a valve stem bore through said recessed portion, a float cage depending from said batlie plate having open sides and shielded by said baille platefrom suction at said lateral suction intake, a float confined in and guided by said cage for vertical movement, a disk valve seating in said bailierecess having a stem depending throughits bore and aixed to said float, sai valve stem and oat having a combined fspecific gravity greater than that of hydrocarbon but providing for buoyancy thereof through immersion of the float`in water, said valve being lifted from said recess through such buoyancy and subjected to the suction at said lateral intake and moved upwardly by said suction to engage said valve seat and close' -ofll suctlon therethrough.

8. A water locking safety valve for the lower end of suction pipes of hydrocarbon fuel storage tanks comprising a casing having a tubular upper portion presenting a 'bore alining with said suction pipe and edged at its lower end by a valve seat, a baffle plate suspended from the lower end of said tubular portion and determinately spaced therefrom to prov1de a f eating with said bore at the valve seat and shielded thereby against suction at sai greater intake surface area than said bore, said baffle plate in alinement with said valve seat having a depression therein and a valve stem bore through said depression, a valve seating in said depression below the plane of the upper face of the baille plate, a stem depending from said valve having a lateral suction intake communiface area than said bore, said b'aiiie plate in alinement with said valve seat having a depression therein and a valve nstem bore through said depression, a valve seating in said depression below the plane of the upper face of the batiie plate and having a stem depending throughsaid bore, and a ioat aiiixed to thelower end of said stem below said baffle plate and having its transverse area of less extent than that of said baiiie plate to lie within the vertically projected edges thereof and be shielded by said edges against suction from said lateral suction lntake, the specific gravity of said valve, stem and float being such as to cause it to sink in hydrocarbon fuel but to become buoyant through the immersion of the float in water, the

greater surface area of the lateral intake preary, A. D. 1929.

. v OHN HYDE VIELE.

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through the bore in the baiiie plate and affixed at its lower end to a float having a bailiecpllate ateral intakte, the specific gravity of said valve, stem and {ioat being such as to cause it to sink invhydrocarbon fuel but to become buoyant through the immersion of the oat 1n water, the greater surface area ofthe lateral intake opening preventing upward suction of said valve until such time as immersion of its attached float in water renders it buoyant and causes suction through said lateral intake to draw it upwardly to said seat to cut oi suction therethrough.

9. A water locking safety valve for the lower end of suction pipes for hydro-carbon fuel storage tanks comprising a casing presentin a vertical bore alining with the suction pipe and edged at its lower end by a 

